meandering in SW England
Oct 10th, 2013, 10:39 AM
#21
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Hi Annhig,
What intrigues me on this Rabbies tour of Devon and Cornwall is the morning spent “exploring the magnificent wilderness of Dartmoor, the ancient "Clapper Bridge" at Postbridge and the historic market town of Tavistock, home to Sir Francis Drake.” When I was teaching English in Grade 7 I often showed the kids scenes (we were reading Sherlock Holmes stories) from that great Holmes series starring Jeremy Brit done some thirty years ago. “Hound of the Baskervilles” and several others were set on Dartmoor and beautifully portrayed in the films.
Also, an erstwhile Irish relative of mine, John Boyle O’Reilly, in the mid 1800s was incarcerated in Dartmoor Prison, escaped, went to Australia, then on to Boston where he became quite a poet and editor of the Irish newspaper The Pilot.
Kiwijac, the trip I am talking about is described here:
http://www.rabbies.com/tours_england...our.asp?lng=en
As Annhig says, it’s quite extensive but might give you some ideas for scouring the general area. Let us know how it goes…
What intrigues me on this Rabbies tour of Devon and Cornwall is the morning spent “exploring the magnificent wilderness of Dartmoor, the ancient "Clapper Bridge" at Postbridge and the historic market town of Tavistock, home to Sir Francis Drake.” When I was teaching English in Grade 7 I often showed the kids scenes (we were reading Sherlock Holmes stories) from that great Holmes series starring Jeremy Brit done some thirty years ago. “Hound of the Baskervilles” and several others were set on Dartmoor and beautifully portrayed in the films.
Also, an erstwhile Irish relative of mine, John Boyle O’Reilly, in the mid 1800s was incarcerated in Dartmoor Prison, escaped, went to Australia, then on to Boston where he became quite a poet and editor of the Irish newspaper The Pilot.
Kiwijac, the trip I am talking about is described here:
http://www.rabbies.com/tours_england...our.asp?lng=en
As Annhig says, it’s quite extensive but might give you some ideas for scouring the general area. Let us know how it goes…
Oct 10th, 2013, 12:46 PM
#22
lo, late day, I think that would be Jeremy Brett! A terrific actor IMO [did you know he played "Freddie" in My Fair Lady?] and for me the best Sherlock by far.
we happened to pass through Tavistock on our way "up country" a few weeks ago and it's definitely worth visiting, especially if you can make it on a Friday when the Farmers' Market is in full swing. lots of nice cafes and shops in the market area anyway.
if you have a chance to visit it, there's a museum of Dartmoor near the prison - there might be something there about your relative who escaped; not many people have managed that. nowadays it's a normal prison, not a high security one. My favourite spot is on the north of the moor at Belstone - the pub there called the Tors is a proper old fashioned inn with great food, and proper beer and cider on tap. The views from the little terrace [which is a polite way of describing a back yard] are superb.
we happened to pass through Tavistock on our way "up country" a few weeks ago and it's definitely worth visiting, especially if you can make it on a Friday when the Farmers' Market is in full swing. lots of nice cafes and shops in the market area anyway.
if you have a chance to visit it, there's a museum of Dartmoor near the prison - there might be something there about your relative who escaped; not many people have managed that. nowadays it's a normal prison, not a high security one. My favourite spot is on the north of the moor at Belstone - the pub there called the Tors is a proper old fashioned inn with great food, and proper beer and cider on tap. The views from the little terrace [which is a polite way of describing a back yard] are superb.
Oct 11th, 2013, 08:49 AM
#24
lateday - I'm not sure I know the Devil's Foot. I'll have to look it up!
I don't know Dartmoor terribly well, apart from the area around Belstone. even in summer the weather can be really changeable so you have to be careful to take the right gear with you, but there are lots of wonderful walks and lovely little places to see. A very nice town to stay in is Chagford in the middle of the moor - small enough to have character, big enough to have things going on, pubs, shops, etc. if your budget is limitless it's very near to Gidleigh Park
www.gidleigh.com
but i'm sure that there a lot of more modestly priced places in the area, if like me you don't fancy spending £300 per night!
I don't know Dartmoor terribly well, apart from the area around Belstone. even in summer the weather can be really changeable so you have to be careful to take the right gear with you, but there are lots of wonderful walks and lovely little places to see. A very nice town to stay in is Chagford in the middle of the moor - small enough to have character, big enough to have things going on, pubs, shops, etc. if your budget is limitless it's very near to Gidleigh Park
www.gidleigh.com
but i'm sure that there a lot of more modestly priced places in the area, if like me you don't fancy spending £300 per night!
Oct 11th, 2013, 12:05 PM
#25
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Hi Annhig,
Just ran through “The Devil’s Foot” on youtube. I guess the setting was the coast of Cornwall rather than on Dartmoor – in any case the SW England scenery is very pretty.
Gidleigh sounds like a great hotel, a bit rich for my blood too though. I would think that on this Rabbies tour, the hotel choice would be limited by the tour company.
No definite plans yet….
Just ran through “The Devil’s Foot” on youtube. I guess the setting was the coast of Cornwall rather than on Dartmoor – in any case the SW England scenery is very pretty.
Gidleigh sounds like a great hotel, a bit rich for my blood too though. I would think that on this Rabbies tour, the hotel choice would be limited by the tour company.
No definite plans yet….
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